Wikimedians in Residence Exchange Network

The Wikimedians in Residence Exchange Network (WREN) is a Wikimedia user group for Wikimedians in residence. The application for the user group was made after the WiRs "Birds of a Feather" session at Wikimania Montreal and was approved by the Affiliations Committee in November 2018.

The 2010 British Museum Wikipedian-in-residence project was a pilot project which inspired other organizations to replicate the effort. Since then, Wikimedians-in-Residence have increased in number continuously. This Wikimedia user group provides communication channels connecting past and current Wikimedians-in-Residence, supporting new activities and projects, providing guidelines and material for both residents and institutions, all for the betterment of the works being developed.

The Wikimedians in Residence Exchange Network advocates for Wikimedia community members in professional roles at institutions.

Goals of the organization include defining and protecting the common elements of the Wikimedian in Residence role, creating a peer support network which invites new and experienced Wikimedians in Residence to find each other for collaboration, and to encourage a global professional environment which inspires institutions to offer appointments to persons to engage with Wikimedia projects.